Despite the efforts of landlords, local authorities and government, houses in multiple occupation (HMO) are often perceived as cold, and sometimes damp, with the tenants spending disproportionately large sums on energy. A 2018 report by the National Union of Students on students’ experiences nationally found that: “49% of students described their HMOs as drafty and cold as a result of… Read more →
In April 2019 the Times Higher Education launched the inaugural University Impact Rankings, a pioneering new initiative to recognise universities across the world for their social and economic impact, based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They had a high level of interest, with over 560 institutions participating and 466 ranked in the overall rankings. The University of Worcester was… Read more →
Examining heating behaviours in off-campus student houses in multiple occupation This is the seventh iteration of the Energize Project, which in the past has addressed the relationship between tenants and landlords, the role that technology plays in five specific student houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), and how tenants’ habits and perceptions shape their energy consumption. This particular iteration was exciting because we were given… Read more →
Woo Bikes The University of Worcester’s bike share, Woo Bikes, is looking to get staff and students to travel more sustainably. It offers both traditional pedal bicycles and electric pedal assist e-bikes to users. Woo Bikes has also been looking into getting some of their e-bikes to local businesses so that employees can use them on business trips. A Have… Read more →
Designing a benchmarking tool This post explains the development of a semi-automated benchmark tool to review how embedded sustainability is into university research and the undergraduate curriculum. It also maps it to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or SDG’s, a collection of 17 goals to make the world more sustainable. Undertaken by students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts… Read more →
Helping residents and visitors to learn simple ways to live more sustainably the University of Worcester and Worcester City Council held a city-wide Go Green Week. Focussing on promoting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the United Nations through a variety of events and activities. Heralded a success and promoting the 10 simple Golden Rules about living sustainably. The week… Read more →
